Profiles

George R, Grasser, who represents Partners for a Livable Western New York on the Empire State Future coalition, has maintained a keen interest in planning, growth and development issues for a long time. He's practiced real estate law for 35 years, and had a statewide practice in creating condominiums and homeowners associations.

In 2002 he changed careers to become a real estate consultant, a developer of infill housing, and the president and chief executive officer of Partners for a Livable Western New York, a not-for-profit organization formed to improve land use and the built environment in Western New York communities.

He presently heads companies developing a 12-unit condominium in Chautauqua and the Gardens at Oxbow, Western New York's first new urbanist project, a 23-home development in the Village of Lewiston. Mr. Grasser is a frequent lecturer on zoning, land use, condominium law, growth management, Smart Growth, new urbanism and the ethics of land use.

Formed in 1999 by 15 lawyers, architects, planners, builder-developers, traffic engineers, public officials and other concerned citizens, Partners for a Livable Western New York is an all-volunteer group that works to bring about more livable communities through Smart Growth concepts and practices

It does so by supporting regional and local policies and regulations to promote cohesive neighborhood development through stabilization of existing neighborhoods, preservation of environmentally sensitive areas, municipal coordination and effective implementation of land use decisions. It also sponsors educational programs encouraging practices that support Smart Growth policies.